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With Hawaii moving the legal age to 21 to purchase tobacco, what are your views? I am a smoker and have been trying to quit for a while. I think this would help, but wondering your opinions.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/27/us/hawaii-smoking-age-21-feat/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/27/us/hawaii-smoking-age-21-feat/index.html
Smoking
Age
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 9
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Nanny state.
Governments are not my parents.
If I want to put Arsenic in my body, I should be allowed. If the Government wants to tax me on the SALE of that, they should be free to do so.
But it is not the Government's job to protect me from myself.
Education is one thing, "defense" is another thing entirely.
Anyone here. Anyone at all think smoking is good for you? Anyone labor under that false idea? Anyone think breathing in fire, smoke, etc is a good idea?
Nope, didn't think so.
You made an informed decision to take up a bad habit and continue with it, knowing the risks that we have advertised ad naseum for at least 40~ years.
Treating adults like something other than adults is not going to change that.
Rant off.
SSG (Join to see) Not directed at you. Directed at state of Hawaii.
Governments are not my parents.
If I want to put Arsenic in my body, I should be allowed. If the Government wants to tax me on the SALE of that, they should be free to do so.
But it is not the Government's job to protect me from myself.
Education is one thing, "defense" is another thing entirely.
Anyone here. Anyone at all think smoking is good for you? Anyone labor under that false idea? Anyone think breathing in fire, smoke, etc is a good idea?
Nope, didn't think so.
You made an informed decision to take up a bad habit and continue with it, knowing the risks that we have advertised ad naseum for at least 40~ years.
Treating adults like something other than adults is not going to change that.
Rant off.
SSG (Join to see) Not directed at you. Directed at state of Hawaii.
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I have mixed views on this...
on the one hand, there is ZERO doubt that smoking harms your body, so if the government raises the age to buy it, you are doing the populace a favor. Of course, on that logic, why not just make it completely illegal (which I dont agree with, but you see that logic train, yes?).
On the other hand, should we legislate health...or just educate and you take full responsibility for your decisions (I kinda like this idea more...but then, that logic trains says we legalize other things - i am glad cocaine is illegal, my surgeon doesnt need that option).
on the one hand, there is ZERO doubt that smoking harms your body, so if the government raises the age to buy it, you are doing the populace a favor. Of course, on that logic, why not just make it completely illegal (which I dont agree with, but you see that logic train, yes?).
On the other hand, should we legislate health...or just educate and you take full responsibility for your decisions (I kinda like this idea more...but then, that logic trains says we legalize other things - i am glad cocaine is illegal, my surgeon doesnt need that option).
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SSG (Join to see)
I remember the Gov of New York making massive drinks not purchasable. His way of combatting obesity. Thank you for your comment
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SSG (Join to see) In regards to that, it actually created a different problem.
Here was the example I was given:
3 kids playing basketball, finish up order a pizza, and a 2L (67.628oz). But in NYC you can't get that, so they have to order cans instead. So they get a 6 pack (6x 12 = 72oz). They actually end up with MORE soda, and MORE recycling issues because of the law.
Here was the example I was given:
3 kids playing basketball, finish up order a pizza, and a 2L (67.628oz). But in NYC you can't get that, so they have to order cans instead. So they get a 6 pack (6x 12 = 72oz). They actually end up with MORE soda, and MORE recycling issues because of the law.
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In perspective, legal drinking age is 21 and look how many underage individuals get caught drinking. Not really sure increasing to 21 will help
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SSG (Join to see)
What other options could be done? other than "Home Training"...lol I do agree with you though.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
SSG (Join to see) Issue every NCO a water bottle and if you see someone smoking, you are allowed to spray them and say "bad kitty!! NO!" Until they stop.
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No, it should not be raised. The drinking age should be lowered to 18, or both age restrictions should be eliminated. I believe that much underage drinking/smoking is because society makes these activities 'adult' things to do. Smoking is stupid, and kids know that. They do it to be grown up, in a strange way. Drinking is the same way, to an extent.
Regarding the drinking age particularly, I think it is ridiculous that you can sit on a jury that might convict someone of a capital offense, help select the next president, and volunteer to fight and kill and die for your country -- all before you're old enough to have a legal glass of wine with dinner.
Regarding the drinking age particularly, I think it is ridiculous that you can sit on a jury that might convict someone of a capital offense, help select the next president, and volunteer to fight and kill and die for your country -- all before you're old enough to have a legal glass of wine with dinner.
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This just sounds like we are going to continue to delay adulthood. Even though we will consider people an adult at 18 they won't be able to do adult things so they will be stuck in this weird limbo where they get in trouble like a child but are supposed to be considered an adult. I don't even really think it will cut down on smoking that much, just increase revenue for catching people smoking "underage". And what about 18 year old privates? They can die for our country but if they are stationed there they can neither drink nor smoke legally?
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MAJ Jim Steven
and thats why I wish there was a better emphasis on health education...
"look, you can smoke if you want to, but you really need to know what you are getting into...this stuff is highly addictive and it is going to hurt you long term...so, if you think you are giving your middle finger to a society that cant hold you down, you rebel, remember one thing...society will not be getting lung cancer, you will"
"look, you can smoke if you want to, but you really need to know what you are getting into...this stuff is highly addictive and it is going to hurt you long term...so, if you think you are giving your middle finger to a society that cant hold you down, you rebel, remember one thing...society will not be getting lung cancer, you will"
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SGT James Elphick
I agree MAJ Jim Steven if we want to have actual adults we need to start instilling a sense of personal responsibility, preferably long before they are of the age to smoke.
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Absolutely not! And the drinking age needs to be 18 again.. Government and LE have too many reasons already to pull people over.
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I believe the government needs to step back a little. after 18 they are adults. drinking i dont see the difference EXCEPT brain development which may be part of why its 21. i say let people make their own choices.
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SSG (Join to see)
Could smoking hinder brain development also?...Maybe it has/does...As a vascular constrictor, less blood to the brain is a bad thing. Thanks for the comment.
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Yes smoking is the worst travesty visited on man by man. I lost both my mother and grandmother to smoking induced lung cancer. It eats you from the inside out and it is not a pretty sight especially when the family tries to hang on with the use of machines. If this product was brought to market today the creators would be incarcerated. Just the effects of second hand smoke can be devastating over a life time. I support all laws against it use in the public, taxes to supplement the health care cost and doggedly harass my friends that do smoke to quit
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